Our friends at the Greater Cleveland Dental Society just announced that the application cycle for the Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Program (ODLRP) and the Ohio Dental Hygienist Loan Repayment Program (ODHLRP) is open. Applications must be mailed and postmarked by January 16, 2018. For more information at to download forms, check out the Ohio Department of Health website.
Overview
The goal of the Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Program (ODLRP) and the Ohio Dental Hygienist Loan Repayment Program (ODHLRP) is to increase access to dental care for underserved communities and populations. In exchange for loan repayment assistance, dentists and dental hygienists commit to practice for a minimum of two years at an eligible site in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Dental Health Resource Shortage Area, accept Medicaid, and see patients regardless of ability to pay.
For the first two-year contract, selected full-time applicants practicing a minimum of 40 hours per week may receive up to $25,000 annually for repayment of outstanding dental or dental hygiene school debt. Those who remain at their practice sites and maintain eligibility may receive up to $35,000 annually for a third and fourth year of service. Part-time participants practicing between 20 and 39 hours per week may receive up to half the amount of full-time participants.
Provider Eligibility
The following dental providers are eligible:
- Currently practicing general and pediatric dentists and dental hygienists with educational loans
- Dental residents in the final year of pediatric or general practice residency or in advanced education in general dentistry programs
- Dental and dental hygiene students enrolled in the final year of dental or dental hygiene school
- If applicants have existing obligations to a government or other entity, the obligations must be met prior to beginning a loan repayment contract.
Practice Site Eligibility
Practice sites must be located in a Dental HPSA or Dental Health Resource Shortage Area, accept Medicaid and accommodate all patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Free Clinics may contact ODH at the phone number or e-mail address below to determine their eligibility as an ODLRP or ODHLRP practice site.
